Cheapest Way to Move Cross-Country

Thankfully, there are a few steps that you can take to save money when working with a moving company. Some of the things you’ll learn throughout our guide will include:

• Best practices to save when you move
• What you can expect to pay when you move
• Tips and tricks to limit spending while moving 

Looking for an easy option?  Get a free moving quote from our top-rated moving companies in 2021:

Finding the Best Cheap Cross-Country Moving Service

When you begin searching for a moving company, one of the first things that you’re likely to think about is what you’ll spend completing your interstate move. If you’ve never made a significant move before (or if you’ve only worked with affordable local moving providers) you might not be fully aware of just how expensive moving can really be. 

The average cost of a long-distance move in the United States is a little more than $4,000—that’s a lot of money, especially when you consider additional expenses like childcare, pet care or taking time off of work to move. If you’re working with a full-service moving company that offers additional services, you might end up spending more than $9,000 to move.

Compare Multiple Companies

When you were shopping for a new home, you probably didn’t see an option on Zillow and immediately call an agent to put in an offer. If you’re getting ready for a corporate relocation, you likely didn’t take the first job that you saw or the first offer that your new employer submitted to you. So why would you work with the first moving company that you see?

One of the easiest ways to save money on your move is by comparing multiple moving companies. Every moving company uses its own set of criteria to determine how much you’ll pay for your move—and these pricing strategies can significantly vary between companies. This makes it possible to find the exact same moving services from 10 different moving companies at 10 completely different price points.

Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to compare moving companies’ prices. Most moving companies will be happy to provide you with a free quote over the phone. Some moving companies have also made their estimate online only. We recommend contacting at least 3 competing moving companies in your area and getting moving quotes from each before you select which company you want to work with. Remember, the more quotes you get, the wider sample range you’ll have, which will make it easier to see which options are overpriced.  

Really Think About Which Services are Necessary and Which are Not  

When you begin comparing moving companies, you’ll soon find that there are multiple types of moving services. The following are 3 of the most common types of moving companies you’ll run into.

• Full-service moving companies: Full-service moving companies are the easiest moving companies to work with because they go above and beyond to help make your move simple and streamlined. Instead of simply loading and unloading your moving truck, full-service moving companies often allow you to purchase add-on services to make your move stress-free.  For example, a full-service moving company might be able to provide packing services, arrange a storage unit if your move-in and move-out dates don’t line up exactly and even offer additional packing supplies. Some full-service moving companies even provide auto shipping services, which helps you transport your vehicle without adding miles to the car. 

• Partial service moving companies: Partial service moving companies provide you with a medium level of service—you can think of them as a cross between a full-service moving company and a DIY moving company. When you work with a partial service moving company, you can expect your movers to arrive at your property on the date of your move, completely load up their moving truck and transport all of your things to your new home. When your shipment arrives, your movers will then unload the vehicle with a bit of direction from you.Unlike full-service moving companies, partial service moving companies won’t handle all of the logistics of your move. However, they provide you with a more affordable option to handle all of the hardest tasks associated with moving into a new property.

• DIY movers: DIY moving companies are the most affordable type of moving company, providing you with few services but a cost-effective way to make it to your new property. When you work with a DIY moving company, you’ll arrange a time and place to pick up a large rental truck that you can use to store your things during your move. You’ll be completely responsible for getting the moving truck, driving it to your new home and doing all of the heavy lifting associated with your move. You’ll also need to arrange a time to drop the truck off with the company you borrowed it from. U-Haul is an example of a DIY moving company.

Before you decide which moving company you want to work with, you should think about which services are a must and which would just be nice to have. While the easiest moves come with full-service moving companies, these companies also tend to charge the highest rates.

When considering which services are “needs” and which are “wants,” the obvious answer is to always choose a DIY moving company because the main goal of your move is to get into your new home safely. However, there are many situations when working with a DIY moving team might not be an option. Some examples could include the following.

• You’re moving with an older family member: Moving can be especially difficult for older family members, who might be more prone to hernias, muscle strains and other common moving injuries.
• You don’t have a driver’s license: Renting a moving truck doesn’t give you a free pass to drive without a license. If you haven’t yet learned to drive or your license is currently suspended and you cannot have a friend or family member drive the moving truck, you’ll need to choose a different type of moving company.
• You just don’t have enough time to handle all of your moving on your own: Movers are experts in getting you out of your home and into your new property quickly and efficiently. If you’re on a very limited time frame for your move (for example, if you’re starting at a new job on short notice), you might want to choose a partial or full-service moving company.

It can be a good idea to make a list of the things you absolutely must have your movers handle on your behalf before comparing moving companies. This helps ensure that you don’t sign a contract with a company that doesn’t offer what you need. 

Consider a Moving Pod Service Instead

If you don’t have a driver’s license but you only need physical moving services, you might want to consider working with a moving pod service like PODS. Working with a company that provides you with pod service is an easy way to move your things without spending hours on the road.

After making an appointment for a moving date, your pod service provider will arrive to your current property with a portable moving container. You’ll then load all of your things into the moving container. The container company will take care of shipping your pod to your new property, where you’ll unload your things. Container services can provide you with an easy way to lower your moving costs without the need for a truck rental. 

Be Wary of “Too Good To Be True” Pricing

Everyone loves saving money—and no one wants to spend more on their cross-country move than they absolutely have to. When comparing moving companies, don’t let rock-bottom prices be the only deciding factor when it comes to choosing a company. The cheapest option often isn’t the best option when it comes to selecting a professional moving company.

After collecting multiple quotes, you might find that one company is charging significantly less than competitors in your area. While it might be tempting to hire this company on the spot, suspiciously low rates are a common signal that there may be a moving scam operating in your city. We’ll go over a few more red flags for moving scams in later sections but remember what mom always said—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

Top 5 Rated Best Cheap Cross-Country Movers

No matter if you’re moving down the street or to a state on the opposite side of the country, finding an affordable moving company is the easiest and most effective way to lower the cost of your move. But with so many partial, DIY and full-service movers operating throughout the country, how can you possibly know that you’re working with the best possible team?

We’ve researched hundreds of licensed and certified moving companies to find the most trusted, best performing and highest-rated cheap cross-country movers in the industry.  Here’s our recommendation. 

What to Look for in Cheap Cross-Country Moving

In addition to our favorite long distance movers, you should do a little research on your own time to completely understand all of your moving options. Let’s take a look at a few characteristics you’ll want to search for when you consider which moving company you want to give your business to.

• Care with your things: The last thing you want to add onto the stress of moving to a new town or city is the hassle of having your things arrive to your new home broken. Be sure to choose a company that takes price in their work and that is always careful with your things.
• Licensure and certification: Depending on where you live, your moving team will likely need to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) before they can complete long-distance moving jobs. We searched out companies with full accreditation that have been issued a USDOT number when choosing which options to recommend to you.  
• Reliability: Your time is valuable. When thinking about which moving companies we wanted to recommend, we took reliability and reputation into account. If a moving company has a reputation for showing up late or failing to provide the services laid out in their contracts, we moved onto other options.
• Price: In a guide detailing the best cheap moving companies, it’s impossible not to take price into consideration when selecting recommended providers.
• Efficiency: No matter if you’re moving to begin a new job or start college at a new school, efficiency when moving is important. We chose moving companies with reputations for arriving on-time or ahead of schedule.

These are the criteria we used when searching for moving companies to recommend to you. Now, let’s take a look at a few additional characteristics you might want to look for before you make the final decision on which moving company is best for your needs.

• Recommendations from people you know: Though the internet can be a fantastic resource to find everything from books to rental companies, it isn’t always the most trustworthy place when it comes to reviews. The best recommendation always comes from someone that you know personally.  Consider asking friends, family members and coworkers if they’ve worked with professional movers in the past. Chances are high that you know at least 1 person in your life who has hired a moving company, even if it was just for a short local move. If you’re moving far away, you might want to ask your real estate agent or realtor if he or she has any recommendations. Even if your realtor isn’t operating in your area, they might have connections with agents or companies near you they can recommend.
• Where you’re moving and each mover’s service area: If you’re moving a significant distance away from where you currently live, be sure to ask each moving company that you’re considering working with about their service area. Depending on the moving company you work with, your movers may apply increased rates for very long distance moving tasks.
• Customer testimonials: No one wants to work with a company that adds last-minute fees onto their list of moving expenses or that shows up to their house 3 hours after they said they would. Be sure to review a few customer testimonials before you choose a moving company that you want to work with using websites like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot.

Average Cost of Cheap Cheap Cross-Country Moving

The average cost of a long-distance move in the United States is $4,890 for a 2-bedroom space. However, the price that you’ll actually pay for your move will vary depending on a wide range of factors. Some of the factors that may influence the total price that you pay for your move will likely include the following.

• The type of moving company that you work with: As we’ve discussed, full-service moving companies can offer you a wider range of options to make your move easier. However, all of these options come with an additional price tag. If you schedule storage or unpacking services from your moving company, you’ll pay more for your move. Completing a DIY move with your friends and family members will come at the lowest price tag, while comprehensive moving services will be the most expensive option.
• The distance you’re moving: If you’re traveling further away from your current location, your moving company will need to budget for things like gas, toll charges and even lodging expenses for drivers. Expect to pay more for your move if you have a longer distance to travel.
• The total weight of your shipment: Moving companies understand that when you have more items to move, they’ll need to bring additional moving professionals along with you on the date of your move. If you have a large number of boxes or a range of heavy objects that you want to bring to your new property, you can expect to pay more for your moving services.
• Your moving date: Did you know that the time of year when you move can affect the price that you pay for your moving service? It’s true! The busy season for professional movers usually lasts from April to September. If you’re moving within this period, expect to pay more for your move.

Ultimately, the best way to learn more about what you can expect to pay for your move is by getting a moving quote from a few competing companies in your area.

Determining the Cost of Your Cheap Cross-Country Moving

The best way to determine the cost of your move is to speak with a few competing moving companies operating in your area to get a more in-depth look at which factors are influencing the prices that moving companies are providing you with. However, there are also a few steps that you can take to lower the price that you’ll pay for your move.  

Sell Off Everything You Don’t Need

1 of the largest factors that moving companies consider when they issue you a moving quote is the total weight of your shipment. This means that if you have things in your home that you aren’t completely in love with, you’re often better off hosting a yard sale or selling these items on a site like Craigslist before you move. This is especially true if you’re moving a long distance and you aren’t sure if you want to bring your current set of furniture along with you.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of organizing a yard sale, you might also want to consider donating your used items to an organization like the Salvation Army. Many charities accept non-cash donations, selling off these items on your behalf and donating the proceeds to their cause of choice. Donating your old things doesn’t only help the environment—it can also help you contribute to a cause that you really care about without spending money. 

Be Flexible With Your Moving Date

Just like the hospitality and construction industries, the moving industry has an “off-season” that you can take advantage of to lower your moving costs. Though you cannot always adjust the month of your move, consider speaking with your employer or real estate agent to coordinate your move between the months of September and March. These are usually the months when professional movers are least busy—which means that you might be able to score an amazing deal on moving services.

If you can’t be flexible with your moving date or you need to move within the month, you can still save money by moving during the week. Movers generally have fewer clients requesting services during weekdays when compared to weekends. This means that adjusting your move by just a few days may result in larger-than-expected savings.  

Do Everything You Can On Your Own

Though a full-service move might be the right option for you if you’re willing to spend extra money in order to enjoy the easiest move, it definitely isn’t the best choice if you’re looking to save money. Consider hosting a “moving party” to connect with friends and family members that you might be separated from after you move. During your party, order in food and drinks and work together to pack boxes, label everything and strategize for your upcoming move. With a little effort and planning, you can turn a set of chores into a bonding opportunity for you and your loved ones.

Some additional services that you might want to arrange on your own to lower your move costs may include:

• Disassembling furniture
• Sorting things you own into piles for sale and donation
• Scheduling your storage container services
• Searching for packing supplies

Purchase Packing Supplies in Advance—and Get Free Supplies Where You Can

Many people who are planning a move don’t take the time to determine all of the packing supplies that they’ll need to purchase before they hit the road. This can lead to them overpaying for packing materials when the moving team arrives at the home.

If you’re looking to save money on your move, create a complete list of packing supplies that you’ll need before you begin preparing to pack. Search for things like cardboard boxes and packing tape in your own home before you buy it or ask family members or friends if you can borrow packing supplies from them. Knowing exactly what you have in your home (and what you don’t) will help you avoid spending money that you don’t need to spend.

Don’t have as many cardboard boxes in your home as you think you might need? Don’t head to the post office before you search for free cardboard boxes in your area. Liquor stores and grocery stores receive dozens of sturdy, quality moving boxes every day. If you ask nicely and are respectful, most local managers will be happy to provide you with these boxes free of charge—after all, they’ll likely end up in the trash if you don’t use them! 

Ask For Assistance From Your Employer

When searching for cheap ways to move, don’t be afraid to ask your employer for help if you’re moving for work. Employers know that moving often involves a large number of personal expenses—and many employers are more than happy to help with advances or grants for moving supplies and other services necessary to get you into your new home with time to spare. 

Cheap Cross-Country Moving Services Popular Services

Most people who set out to save as much money as possible on their move use 1 of 2 types of moving companies.

• DIY movers: If you have a driver’s license and you don’t mind doing a bit of heavy lifting, you might want to work with a DIY moving company. During a DIY move, you’ll rent a moving truck and handle all of your own loading and unloading services. You’ll also be responsible for driving your own belongings to your new location and returning your moving truck after you’re finished.
• Moving pods: If you aren’t able to drive on your own or you don’t want to go through the hassle of returning a moving truck, you might want to consider choosing a moving pod service. These services can help you transport your things without the need to drive to your new space on your own.

Though you can choose to work with a full-service moving company to save time on your move, you’ll almost always pay more when you choose a full-service company over a more manual option.

Our 5 Top-Rated Cheap Cross-Country Mover Recap

Now that you know what you should expect from your moving team, let’s review a few of our recommended affordable movers—as well as what you should expect from your moving team.

Expectations For Your Moving Team

If this is your first time moving, you might not know what to expect from your movers when they arrive at your space. We selected our recommended movers because they fulfil the following expectations.

• Provide you with an in-person estimate before you sign a contract
• Are upfront and honest about the difference between binding and non-binding estimates
• Offer you proof of local and federal licensure and regulation status upon request
• Are careful and courteous with your possessions
• Provide you with a time or time frame for pickup and drop-off periods
• Offer competitive pricing when compared with other moving companies in your area
• Offer a quick and easy moving quote process
• Have years of experience and overall general positive sentiments in your community

Expectations Your Movers Will Have For You

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move cross-country, you probably won’t be paying the extra cash needed for a full-service moving company. Because of this, your mover will have a few expectations for you on and before moving day, including the following.

• Have everything packed and ready to go by the time the movers arrive at your space
• Label all of your boxes with contents and clearly mark fragile items
• Keep young children and pets out of the way and in a safe area while movers are doing their job
• Help them arrive to an organized and clean space to make moving easier
• Provide them with a final drop off location for your things
• Provide them with information on local parking regulations and rules prior to the date of your move

In addition, your movers will expect you to be upfront and honest about the things you’ve packed. Be sure to ask your movers about any items they cannot carry or provide valuation coverage for before your move. 

What to Know About Cheap Cross-Country Moving

When you need to move quickly and with limited costs, it can be tempting to choose the most affordable company that you find. Unfortunately, the cheapest company often isn’t the best option—especially when you consider how prevalent moving scams have become.

No one wants to believe that they would ever become the victim of a moving scam. However, the truth is that anyone can become a victim. According to research from the Better Business Bureau, these unscrupulous movers can hold your things “hostage,” forcing you to pay high fees to get your things back. These types of scams are often targeted towards older Americans.

When comparing moving companies, be sure to keep your eyes out for these common red flags of moving scams.

• Companies that offer rates that seem to be significantly lower than competitors
• Moving companies that answer the phone in an unprofessional manner
• Movers that demand a large down payment in cash on the day of your move
• Movers that claim they can only accept payment in cash or using a peer-to-peer transfer app
• Moving companies that are new to the area or that seem to have no testimonials
• Companies that are not BBB accredited

Additionally, you should look for testimonials on third-party websites instead of only on the mover’s website. Legitimate reviews (like this review posted on the BBB’s website) mention specific aspects of the move that they appreciated or did not appreciate. Be wary of generic, overly positive reviews—companies have been known to pad their own online ratings with fake testimonials.

If you believe that you have been the victim of a moving scam, file a complaint with the FMCSA here. If the company has a profile with the Better Business Bureau, you may also want to file a complaint against the business with the BBB here.

The bottom line? While there are plenty of ways to save money when moving, you also need to leave yourself plenty of time to do your research. Start by using our list of trusted movers and keep your wits about you when comparing quotes.